The Circus poster

TV series

The Circus

2016TV-148 seasons6.5 / 10

Inside the Craziest Political Campaign on Earth

Come one, come all to The Circus. This real-time documentary series pulls back the curtain on the current political stories, revealing the intense, inspiring and infuriating stories behind the headlines. Key characters and events are presented in real time, as they are happening.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Sep 3, 2026

The Circus is available to stream on Paramount+, Paramount+ (Via Amazon Prime), Paramount+ (Via Apple TV), and Fubo in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

Availability and prices can change. Confirm the details on the streaming service before you subscribe, rent or buy.

Synopsis

Come one, come all to The Circus. This real-time documentary series pulls back the curtain on the current political stories, revealing the intense, inspiring and infuriating stories behind the headlines. Key characters and events are presented in real time, as they are happening.

Season 7 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 6

Episode 1

On the Brink

29m

The Circus returns with the world on edge following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. John Heilemann reports from on the ground in neighboring Poland with U.S. Ambassador Mark Brzezinski. Jennifer Palmieri is at the White House with Press Secretary Jen Psaki immediately following President Biden’s first State of the Union address. Plus, Alex Wagner examines the escalating standoff between Presidents Biden and Putin and Mark McKinnon looks at the political tensions on Capitol Hill amidst the evolving crisis.

Episode credits

Guest stars Jen Psaki

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Episode 2

The Escalation Ladder

29m

With the situation on the ground in Ukraine growing increasingly dire, The Circus explores what more the U.S. and its allies can do. As Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Estonia, John Heilemann speaks with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas about fears Putin could strike a NATO nation next. Plus, Mark McKinnon explores President Biden’s response with Senator Mitt Romney; Alex Wagner interviews Ukrainian parliament member Oleksandra Ustinova; and Jennifer Palmieri speaks with officials about the threat Putin now poses to the world.

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Episode 3

The Information War

29m

As Russia escalates its assault, Ukraine’s President delivers an impassioned address to Congress. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on Capitol Hill speaking with lawmakers immediately after Zelinsky’s emotional plea to “close the sky” over Ukraine. Plus, Alex Wagner and John Heilemann examine the information war, including the sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign infiltrating American media and Putin’s draconian crackdown on dissent and free speech inside Russia.

Episode credits

Guest stars Hakeem Jeffries

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Episode 4

The Nuclear Option

29m

As President Biden travels to Brussels for an emergency NATO summit, The Circus examines Russia's threats of using nuclear weapons. Jennifer Palmieri speaks to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby about the U.S. response to Putin's nuclear saber-rattling; John Heilemann games out war simulations with one of the world's foremost experts on nuclear weapons, Zia Mian; and Alex Wagner assesses Putin's motives with former Russian Foreign Minister Andrei Kozyrev.

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Episode 5

The Home Front

29m

The Circus tracks the dramatic developments out of the House committee investigating the forces behind the violent January 6 insurrection. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon speak with members of the committee after voting to hold two of former President Donald Trump's aides in contempt; Alex Wagner talks with Bob Woodward and Robert Costa on their bombshell reporting about the White House call log from the day of the Capitol attack; and John Heilemann examines the growing pressure on the Justice Department to investigate Trump's activities.

Episode credits

Guest stars Marjorie Taylor Greene, Liz Cheney

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Episode 6

There Will Be Blood

29m

As the President’s historic nominee for the Supreme Court is confirmed, The Circus examines Biden’s successes, failures and plunging poll numbers. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri dig into the dissatisfaction within the Democratic base and the party’s prospects for the midterms; Representatives Stephanie Murphy and Ted Lieu share their differing strategies for Democrats to keep control of Congress; and The Circus speaks with the White House team behind Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s momentous confirmation.

Episode credits

Guest stars Jen Psaki, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Stephanie Murphy, Ted Lieu

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Episode 7

Keystone Chaos

29m

he Circus is on the ground in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania to cover one of the most consequential Senate races in the nation. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri report on the heated competition as former president Donald Trump weighs in with a surprise endorsement. Republican and Democratic candidates speak with The Circus about the final, frantic weeks of the primary.

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Episode 8

Tip of the Spear

29m

The Circus travels to Florida as Governor Ron DeSantis signs controversial laws on education, gender, and abortion. John Heilemann, Alex Wagner, Mark McKinnon and Jennifer Palmieri explore how the Sunshine State has become the central battlefield of an American culture war that includes a conservative effort to strike math textbooks due to “prohibited topics,” the fallout from the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law, and a rapidly escalating feud between Disney and state Republicans.

Episode credits

Guest stars Charlie Crist, Ron DeSantis, Mallory McMorrow

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Episode 9

Not in Kansas Anymore

29m7.0 / 10

The Circus returns amid the critical midterm election season with voters across the nation energized in unprecedented ways by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. John Heilemann goes behind the scenes with Vice President Kamala Harris as she campaigns for reproductive rights in a swing state that could determine control of the Senate. Jennifer Palmieri and Mark McKinnon are on the ground in Michigan to report on how the end of Roe is impacting one the nation's marquee gubernatorial races.

Episode credits

Guest stars Gretchen Whitmer

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Episode 10

Rule of Law

30m8.0 / 10

The Circus examines the myriad legal threats facing former President Donald Trump. Mark McKinnon speaks with journalists Susan Glasser and Peter Baker, authors of a new book detailing the Trump administration. Jennifer Palmieri sits down with Sarah Matthews, the former White House Deputy Press Secretary who testified before the January 6th Committee. John Heilemann speaks with legal experts Andrew Weissman and Neal Katyal to discuss the implications of the wide range of investigations into Trump.

Episode credits

Guest stars Liz Cheney, Mary L. Trump, Cassidy Hutchinson

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Episode 11

State of Denial

8.0 / 10

The Circus travels to Arizona, a key battleground in the upcoming midterm elections and the epicenter of election denial. Jennifer Palmieri, John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon and guest host Tim Miller travel the state, where every top Republican candidate has echoed former President Donald Trump's false claim that the 2020 election was fraudulent, exploring what's at stake if election-denying candidates win office and control of the state's election system.

Episode credits

Guest stars Liz Cheney, John McCain, Ted Cruz, Donald Trump, Kristi Noem, Kari Lake

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Episode 12

Buckeyes and Bulldogs

8.0 / 10

Buckeyes and Bulldogs

Episode credits

Guest stars Rick Scott

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Episode 13

This Land is Greene-Land

28m8.0 / 10

The Circus is on the ground in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's Georgia district, examining her meteoric rise within the Republican party. The team also catches up with her Democratic opponent to discuss his longshot strategy to head off her re-election.

Episode credits

Guest stars Marjorie Taylor Greene

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Episode 14

The Main Event

28m7.0 / 10

The Circus is on the ground in Pennsylvania analyzing the impact of the highly anticipated Senate debate. Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz looks to gain ground while questions swirl about Democratic Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's health.

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Episode 15

Here Comes the Flood

28m8.0 / 10
Episode credits

Guest stars Catherine Cortez Masto, Liz Cheney

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Episode 16

Riptides

59mfinale
Episode credits

Guest stars Abigail Spanberger, Gretchen Whitmer, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Sean Patrick Maloney, Michael Bennet

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Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026

More about The Circus

Cast

John HeilemannSelf - Co-Host
Alex WagnerSelf - Co-Host
Mark McKinnonSelf - Co-Host
Jennifer PalmieriSelf - Co-Host
Mark HalperinSelf - Co-Host
Charlie CristSelf
Ron DeSantisSelf (archive footage)
Hakeem JeffriesSelf

Credits

Created by
John Heilemann, Mark McKinnon

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
130
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ShowtimeUnited States
  • Left/RightUnited States

Themes

election campaignpoliticsusa politics